Happy Thanksgiving

From a little pre-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping to cutting down the tree, we had a pretty spectacular Thanksgiving weekend.

We started by preparing for Thursday's dinner.  MiniM.E. was more excited to start shopping for Christmas:

Then came the cooking-- while we opted for turkey pie to make things a bit easier (not to mention the fact that I've never cooked a turkey), there were still lots of other things to prepare- like pumpkin pie.  Thanks to Gram for coming to help us out- if it were just me and the girls, we would have had to order in McDonalds!

Everyone came to our house for Thanksgiving:  Meamaw & Grandpa, Uncle Dave, Uncle Billy, Gram & Grumpy and Auntie Jen.  We haven't had that many people over for dinner in... ever... But it went really well and everyone had a good time.  Since we don't see Meamaw and Grandpa often, here are a couple photos of them with Leah.

On Sunday after everyone went home, we went to cut our tree down at Bob's Trees.  MiniM.E. wasn't really into it and spent most of the time playing in the snow:

Even though it was slim picking because most people probably went Friday or Saturday and a lot of trees were tagged from the fall, we still found a decent one (after a looonnng search):

MiniM.E. holding it up by a tiny branch

Bob's also had fun cut-outs, reindeer and a wagon ride with carolers which we went on twice because MiniM.E. liked the singing.  (Her new favorite Christmas carol is 12 Days of Christmas)

And then, of course, we had to put it up, put the lights on and decorate it.  MiniM.E. (in all actuality) was a huge help with the decorating.

Snow!!

This morning we woke up to snow.  MiniM.E. was so excited, it was almost as if she'd never seen snow before.  She was ready to put on her snow clothes and run outside at 7am.  Unfortunately, the snow had already turned to rain, so no playing in the snow for us today... 

With the cooler weather, we've been staying inside more.  Lots of sister cuddles.

sleepy smile- one month old!

lots of naps

chilly swinging

feeding the ducks

Baby#2's First Trip to NH

After our first week with just the three of us, we decided on a last minute trip to NH since MiniM.E. didn't have school Monday and it gave us four days of vacation.

We relaxed and played with all the fun toys at Gram and Grumpy's on Saturday afternoon.  MiniM.E. was most excited to see my parent's cat, Honey Bunches, and carried him around and brushed him.

Sunday we drove down to Boston for the Boston Christmas Festival, a craft fair with a gingerbread competition.  Gram and I liked shopping, MiniM.E. and Grumpy did not.  Fortunately, MiniM.E. was fairly patient while we shopped and she got a huge hit out of the gingerbread houses.

especially the Frozen one, even though she hasn't seen the movie

 To make up for dragging her around a craft fair, we walked over to the Children's Museum afterward.

pulling...

a giant bubble!

golf ball roller coaster! 

more golf balls

and more

and more!

giant building blocks

Our day in Boston was fun, but tiring for everyone.  Monday and Tuesday morning we just took it easy.  Baby#2 took her first sink bath with MiniM.E.'s help:

MiniM.E. played in a giant pile of leaves Grumpy made for her:

And Baby#2 sat around and took naps:

It was a bit crazy to make a last minute trip with both girls, but MiniM.E. had a great time (and didn't want to leave) and Baby#2 didn't put up a fuss, so she must have had a good time too.  And I got a bit of a rest since MiniM.E. had someone to play with.  I even got to go out all by myself and get a haircut!  Thanks for having us Gram & Grumpy!

The Beach in November...

Tuesday, the weather looked warmer than usual, no rain in the forecast and for once we had zero plans for the day.  MiniM.E. was still getting over a little cold, but seemed in pretty decent spirits so I dared ask the question, "What do you want to do today?".

This question is usually followed by one of two responses.  A. absolute silence.  B. "have an inside day!"

Neither of which are particularly helpful in deciding the day's activities, but I figure it's worth a try-- sometime she might come out with something good.

Tuesday was the day I've been waiting for since before MiniM.E. could talk (in those days the response was always A.):  "let's go to the beach!"

While an exciting proposition, before we could actually go to the beach, I needed to explain that the beach is much different on a 60 degree day in November than on a bright, sunny, 80 degree day in the summer.  Namely the fact that there would be no swimming.  Also the fact that likely the beach road would be closed and we would have a considerable walk to get to the sand.

MiniM.E. said she understood and was still game so we gave it a try.  

When we got there the beach road was, in fact, closed.  It's ok, we could walk.

"Mommy, did you bring my bathing suits?"  

"No, sweetie.  Remember, it's too cold to swim."

"But Mommy, I'M GOING TO GET SAND ALL IN MY CLOTHES!!!"

"We'll sit on the blanket!" As the words were leaving my mouth I realized the beach blanket was still hanging in the garage... 

"But Mommy, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SIT ON??"

Which is how the rear floor mats of my car got shoved under the jogging stroller and are now considerably sandier than they were last week.

The walk there was longer than it seemed when driving in the car and MiniM.E. complained the whole way there, but once we got to the beach, she had a blast.  Baby#2 was not as excited about being on the beach with a cold breeze:

There was also a good sized playground that we migrated to when MiniM.E.'s feet were "so cold they're freezing!"

Otherwise, our week has been pretty quiet.  Lots of caring for Baby#2, school and playtime.

MiniM.E. putting on a show at the bookstore